WASHINGTON  President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill granting lifetime Secret Service protection to former presidents and their wives.

The measure Obama signed Thursday applies to presidents elected after Jan. 1, 1997, specifically Obama and former President George W. Bush. It reverses a 1994 law that ended Secret Service protection 10 years after a president leaves office. Under that law, the Homeland Security secretary could extend such protection on a temporary basis.

A sponsor of the bill, Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, says increased terrorist threats and the greater mobility and youth of former presidents made the change necessary.

The new law also authorizes Secret Service protection for the children of former presidents until they turn 16.

Tax and spend Republican? What business is this of his, anyway? Presidents, like any other politician, retire as multimillionaires. Let them pay for their own security. They can afford it more than we can.

I'm really beginning to dislike the Republican party. Seriously. How much is this going to cost us now?

Should be fine print for some odd situations, not that they would ever occur, but just in case, that states this law is null and void for any president that fraudulently acquires the office, is overthrown when the citizens use the 2A to remove tyranny and reset govt, etc....

10
posted on 01/11/2013 8:15:44 AM PST
by C210N
(When people fear government there is tyranny; when government fears people there is liberty)

Disagree, my friend..a former president, of whatever party, is a symbol, and must be protected. I defer to Gowdy, one of the really good guys, on this.

And let's be real honest here..it's far more likely that a nutcase from the opposite side of the political spectrum would take a crack at an unprotected former president. If you want to guarantee that 2nd amendment is repealed, then have some loco militia/survivalist type take a shot at a former Democrat president.

11
posted on 01/11/2013 8:17:18 AM PST
by ken5050
("One useless man is a shame, two are a law firm, three or more are a Congress".. John Adams)

I agree but within limits. I don’t like paying for an entourage to travel the world on a book tour. It should be limited to home areas and local areas and only approval for extensive travel and overseas by a Congressional committee.

Since there was a limit put on secret service protection, I have been afraid the it would make George W. Bush vulnerable to attacks when his protection expired. I wish that we had a different president and agree with nothing Obama has done, but I would never want him to be harmed. If anything happened to him, he would almost be elevated to the level of saint. He is close enought to that in some people’s eyes now. I think keeping former presidents safe is a good idea.

If he could have made it only for himself, he would have. But the ‘optics’ would have been patently obvious to everyone, even his rabid loyal media. He had to include Bush for the optics filter. Otherwise, he’s still the petty little shit he’s always been.

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